Optical interconnection modules for hybrid electrical-optical networks

ABSTRACT

An optical interconnection module ( 100 ) for connecting to a media converter module ( 20 ) as part of a hybrid electrical-optical network ( 10 ) is disclosed. The optical interconnection module includes a transmitter connector ( 136 T) having transmit ports (PO T (i)) and a receiver connector having receive ports (PO R (i)). The optical interconnection module also has transmit/receive ports (PO F (i)) that are optically connected via a set (F) of fibers ( 142 ) to the transmit and receive ports of the transmitter and receiver connectors using one of two port configurations. Hybrid electrical-optical networks that utilize a trunk cable ( 60 ) to connect the media converter module to the optical interconnection module are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to optical fiber networks, and inparticular relates to optical interconnection modules for use in hybridelectrical-optical networks that include media converter modules.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional computer networking in a telecommunication data centerutilizes system equipment in the form of servers, switches and storagedevices interconnected through a cabling infrastructure. Various typesof cables, such as unshielded twisted pair (UTP), coaxial, and fiberoptic, are used to interconnect the system equipment. These differenttypes of cables can be used within the same type of network. Forexample, Ethernet networks or local area networks (LANs), can use manydifferent types of cables, ranging from UTP to coaxial to fiber opticcables.

The type of cable utilized in a given telecommunications network isdictated by the network interface card of the system equipment. Forexample, if the network interface card is configured with smallform-factor pluggable (SFP) optical transceivers, then fiber opticcabling is typically utilized. However, if the system equipment'sinterface card is configured with RJ-45 style modular jacks, then UTPcabling is typically utilized. Careful consideration of the type ofcabling deployed and how it is deployed (i.e., the network “topology”)is important to maintain an efficient, reliable, and scalable network.

The telecommunications industry is still in the initial ramp-up stage of10 Gigabit system equipment deployments, with 100 Gigabit deploymentspredicted to occur in 2011. Optics-enabled Gigabit system equipment istypically three times more expensive than UTP-enabled (i.e.,electronics-enabled) Gigabit equipment. Telecommunication companies arethus often faced with the decision of deploying either cost-effectiveelectronics-enabled Gigabit equipment configured with RJ-type modularplugs with the associated UTP cabling infrastructure, or the higherpriced optics-based equipment with an optical cabling infrastructure.While deploying the less expensive electronics-based system and cablinginfrastructure is appealing, the risk is that once 10 Gigabit and 100optics-based Gigabit system equipment is deployed, the UTP cablinginfrastructure will need to be re-cabled with an optical fiber cablinginfrastructure.

An approach that allows for using the lower-cost electronics-basedGigabit system equipment with an optical backbone cabling infrastructureis to employ electrical-to-optical (E/O) and optical-to-electrical (O/E)conversion. Such conversion can be accomplished, for example, usingMedia Converter Modules (MCMs), such as the Plug & Play™ MCM availablefrom Corning Cable Systems, LLC, of Hickory, N.C. The MCMs provideconnectivity between UTP copper cabling and fiber optic cabling.

To migrate this cabling solution to a higher-data-rate optical network,such as a 10 Gigabit or 100 Gigabit Ethernet network, the MCM modulesare replaced by optical interconnection modules (e.g., “reconfigurabledrop modules” (“RDMs”) or “optical break-out modules”) that are patcheddirectly into the optical backbone cabling infrastructure. In this case,the optical backbone cabling infrastructure (that includes “trunk” fiberoptic cables) stays in place and does not have to be re-cabled.

For some networks, one end of the network either prefers to use or iscompelled to use MCMs, while the other end prefers to use or iscompelled to use optical interconnection modules. Thus, an alternativenetwork solution involves using MCM modules at one end, opticalinterconnection modules at the other end, and an optical backbonecabling infrastructure connecting the two ends, thereby forming what isreferred to herein as an “electrical-optical (E-O) hybrid” networkconfiguration. In this configuration, copper-ported equipment is used atone end (or one part) of the network, and fiber-ported equipment is usedat the other end (or another part) of the network. However, acomplication arises in such an E-O hybrid network in that port“polarity” is not conserved, i.e., there is a configuration mismatchwherein the ports of the MCM module are not routed to the correspondingports of the optical interconnection module.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention is an optical interconnection module forconnecting to a media converter module. The optical interconnectionmodule includes a transmitter connector having transmit ports PO_(T)(i),a receiver connector having receive ports PO_(R)(i), andtransmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) that are optically connected to thetransmit ports PO_(T)(i) and the receive ports PO_(R)(i) according toeither:

a) a first port configuration defined by:

-   -   {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(i), PO_(R)(12−(i−1))} for i=1 to 12; or

b) a second port configuration defined by:

-   -   {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(12−(i−1)), PO_(R)(2i)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3,        5, . . . 11) and    -   {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(12−2(i−2)), PO_(R)(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2,        4, 6, . . . 12).

A second aspect of the invention is a hybrid electrical-optical networkthat includes a media converter module having transmit/receive portsPE_(F)(i) that are electrically connected to an electrical-to-opticaltransmitter unit having transmit ports PE_(T)(i) and to anoptical-to-electrical receiver unit having receive ports PE_(R)(i)according to a port configuration defined by: {PE_(F)(i)}

{PE_(T)(i), PE_(R)(12-(i-1))} for i=1 to 12. The hybridelectrical-optical network also includes an optical interconnectionmodule having transmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) that are opticallyconnected to a transmitter connector having transmit ports PO_(T)(i) andto a receiver connector having receive ports PO_(R)(i) according to aport configuration defined by: PO_(F)(i)}

{PO_(T)(i), PO_(R)(12-(i-1))} for i=1 to 12. The electrical-opticalnetwork further includes a fiber optic cable configured to opticallyconnect the media converter module to the optical interconnection moduleso as to establish a port configuration defined by:

-   -   {PE_(F)(i)}        {PO_(F)(i)}.

A third aspect of the invention is a hybrid electrical-optical networkthat includes a media converter module having transmit/receive portsPE_(F)(i) that are electrically connected to an electrical-to-opticaltransmitter unit having transmit ports PE_(T)(i) and to anoptical-to-electrical receiver unit having receive ports PE_(R)(i)according to a port configuration defined by: {PE_(F)(i)}

{PE_(T)(i), PE_(R)(12-(i-1))} for i=1 to 12. The hybridelectrical-optical network also includes an optical interconnectionmodule having transmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) that are opticallyconnected to a transmitter connector having transmit ports PO_(T)(i) andto a receiver connector having receive ports PO_(R)(i) according to aport configuration defined by:

-   -   {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(12−(i−1)), PO_(R)(2i)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3,        5, . . . 11) and    -   {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(12−2(i−2)), PO_(R)(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2,        4, 6, . . . 12).        The hybrid electrical-optical network further includes a fiber        optic cable configured to optically connect the media converter        module to the optical interconnection module so as to establish        a port configuration defined by: {PE_(F)(i)}        {PO_(F)(i)}.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a generalized example embodiment of anelectrical-optical (E-O) network according the present invention thatincludes a media converter module (MCM) and an optical interconnectionmodule (OIM) connected by an optical fiber cable, with a serverelectrically connected to the MCM and an edge switch optically connectedto the OIM;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of an example MCM that includes a front-onclose-up view of the RJ-type copper ports;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example MCM showing an examplewiring configuration and port configuration, along with a portion of thetrunk cable;

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are respective close-up schematic diagrams of theelectrical-to-optical (E/O) transmitter unit and theoptical-to-electrical (O/E) receiver unit of the MCM, showing thecorresponding transmit and receive ports and the corresponding E/O andO/E converter units;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are close-up schematic diagrams of the OIM transmitand receive connectors, respectively, showing the transmit and receiveports;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example LC-type OIM that includestwelve two-fiber ports;

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are close-up schematic diagrams of the fiber opticcable connectors at the MCM end of the trunk cable, showing therespective connector ports for each connector along with color-codedoptical fibers;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are close-up schematic diagrams of the two fiberoptic cable connectors at the OIM end of the trunk cable, showing therespective connector ports for each connector along with the color-codedoptical fibers;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a first example embodiment of thehybrid E-O network of FIG. 1 that utilizes a universal trunk cableconnecting the MCM to the OIM of the present invention in its first portconfiguration;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second example embodiment of thehybrid E-O network of the present invention similar to that of FIG. 9,but that utilizes a “classic trunk” cable to connect the MCM to the OIMof the present invention in its second port configuration;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a third example embodiment of thehybrid E-O network of the present invention, wherein the trunk cable isconfigured to have the correct polarity for connecting the MCM to astandard universal “plug and play” OIM; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a fourth example embodiment of thehybrid E-O network of the present invention wherein the trunk cable isconfigured to have the correct polarity for interconnecting the MCM to atypical or “classic” LC-type OIM that includes 24 single-fiber ports,such as shown in FIG. 6.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description present embodiments of the invention,and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understandingthe nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. Theaccompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding ofthe invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of thisspecification. The drawings illustrate the various exemplary embodimentsof the invention and, together with the description, serve to explainthe principals and operations of the invention.

In the drawings, the same or similar elements are given the same orsimilar reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is now made in detail to the present preferred embodiments ofthe invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Whenever possible, like or similar reference numerals are usedthroughout the drawings to refer to like or similar parts. It should beunderstood that the embodiments disclosed herein are merely examples,each incorporating certain benefits of the present invention. Variousmodifications and alterations may be made to the following exampleswithin the scope of the present invention, and aspects of the differentexamples may be mixed in different ways to achieve yet further examples.Accordingly, the true scope of the invention is to be understood fromthe entirety of the present disclosure, in view of but not limited tothe embodiments described herein.

In the discussion below and in the claims, the notation

-   -   {a1,b1,c1 . . . }        {a2,b2,c2 . . . }        denotes connecting a1 to a2, b1 to b2, c1 to c2, etc. Likewise,        the notation    -   {A(i)}        {B(j)}        denotes connecting A(i) to B(j), such as A(1) to B(1), A(2) to        B(3), A(3) to B(5), etc., for i=1, 2, 3 . . . and j=1, 3, 5 . .        . .

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a generalized example embodiment of anexample hybrid E-O network 10 according to the present invention. HybridE-O network 10 includes three main components: a MCM 20, an OIM 100, anda fiber optic cable (“trunk cable”) 60 that optically connects the MCMto the OIM so that the polarity of the MCM ports and the OIM ports ispreserved. MCM 20 is shown operably connected to a “server” 200 via acopper patch cord 202E, while OIM 100 is shown operably connected to anedge switch 210 via an optical patch cord 202O.

MCM 20, OIM 100, and fiber optic cable (“trunk cable”) 60 of network 10are now discussed in greater detail.

Media Converter Module

FIG. 2 is perspective view and a close-up front-end view of an exampleMCM 20, while FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example MCM 20 showingan example wiring and port configuration. With reference to FIG. 1through FIG. 3, MCM 20 includes a housing 22 that defines an interior24, a front end 26 and a back end 28. Front end 26 includes n frontports PE_(F) formed therein. The set of n front ports PE_(F) is denotedin shorthand notation as PE_(F)(i)={PE_(F)(1), PE_(F)(2) . . .PE_(F)(n))}, wherein i=1 to n, with PE_(F)(i) indicating the i^(th)port. In an example embodiment, ports PE_(F) are RJ-type ports. In anexample embodiment, n=12.

Interior 24 contains a set W of wires 42, discussed below. In an exampleembodiment, MCM 20 is sized to fit into a standard electronics housing,e.g., a 1 U or 4 U housing, where “1 U” stands for a standard distancemeasurement unit of 1.75 inches (44.45 mm) as used in the art oftelecommunications.

MCM 20 also includes an electrical-to-optical (E/O) transmitter unit(“transmitter unit”) 36T and an optical-to-electrical (O/E) receiverunit (“receiver unit”) 36R disposed within housing interior 24 andadjacent back end 28 as shown in FIG. 3. Transmitter and receiver units36T and 36R each have a front side 38 and a back side 39.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B are close-up schematic diagrams of transmitter andreceiver units 36T and 36R, respectively, showing transmit and receiveports PE_(T)(i) and PE_(R)(i), respectively. In an example embodiment,transmitter and receiver units 36T and 36R have respective sets of 12single-wire ports PE_(T)(i) and PE_(R)(i) (i=1 to 12). In an exampleembodiment, transmitter and receiver units 36T and 36R are configured attheir respective back sides 39 to accommodate respective fiber opticcable connectors, such as MTP-type or MPO-type connectors.

With reference to FIG. 4A, transmitter unit 36T includes anelectrical-to-optical (E/O) converter unit 37T that receives electricalsignals SE(i) that travel from select ports PE_(F)(i) via select wires42 of wire set W to ports PE_(T)(i) and converts the electrical signalsto optical signals SO(i) that then travel over trunk cable 60 to opticalinterconnection module 100. Likewise, with reference to FIG. 4B,receiver unit 36R includes an optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter unit37R that receives optical signals SO(i) from select optical fibers 65 intrunk cable 60 and converts the optical signals to electrical signalsSE(i) that travel to select ports PE_(F)(i) via select wires 42 of wireset W.

Front ports PE_(F) are connected to transmit and receive ports PE_(T)and PE_(R) in a select manner via set W of wires 42. For n=12, there area total of 2n=24 wires 42, with respective wire ends connected torespective transmit and receive ports PE_(T) and PE_(R) and two wireends connected to each front port PE_(F). Thus, each front port PE_(F)is a “two-wire” port wired for transmitting and receiving and istherefore also referred to as a “transmit/receive” port.

In an example embodiment, wire set W is configured according to acolor-coding scheme, e.g., the standard color-coding scheme used intelecommunications systems for both electronic wires and optical fibers,wherein Bu=blue, O=orange, G=Green, Br=Brown, S=Slate, W=White, R=Red,Bk=Black, Y=Yellow, V=Violet, Ro=Rose, and Aq=Aqua. The color codesassociated with transmitter unit 36T are unprimed, while thoseassociated with receiver unit 36R are primed to distinguish between thetwo sets of twelve color-codes. This color scheme is described in setnotation as {Bu, O, G, Br, S, W, R, Bk, Y, V, Ro, Aq} and {Bu′, O′, G′,Br′, S′, W′, R′, Bk′, Y′, V′, Ro′, Aq′}, with the first set beingassociated with transmit ports PE_(T)(1) through PE_(T)(12), and thesecond set being associated with receive ports PE_(R)(1) throughPE_(R)(12).

An example wiring configuration for wires 42 that connect front portsPE_(F) to transmit and receive ports PE_(T) and PE_(R) is set forth inTable 1, below:

TABLE 1 MCM PORT CONNECTIONS PE_(F) PE_(T), PE_(R) WIRE COLORS PE_(F)(1)PE_(T)(1), PE_(R)(12) Bu, Aq′ PE_(F)(2) PE_(T)(2), PE_(R)(11) O, Ro′PE_(F)(3) PE_(T)(3), PE_(R)(10) G, V′ PE_(F)(4) PE_(T)(3), PE_(R)(9) Br,Y′ PE_(F)(5) PE_(T)(3), PE_(R)(8) S, Bk′ PE_(F)(6) PE_(T)(3), PE_(R)(7)W, R′ PE_(F)(7) PE_(T)(3), PE_(R)(6) R, W′ PE_(F)(8) PE_(T)(3),PE_(R)(5) Bk, S′ PE_(F)(9) PE_(T)(3), PE_(R)(4) Y, Br′ PE_(F)(10)PE_(T)(3), PE_(R)(3) V, G′ PE_(F)(11) PE_(T)(3), PE_(R)(2) Ro, O′PE_(F)(12) PE_(T)(3), PE_(R)(1) Aq, Bu′

The port configuration in Table 1 is more compactly expressed as:

-   -   {PE_(F)(i)}        {PE_(T)(i), PE_(R)(12−(i−1))} for i=1 to 12.

Optical Interconnection Module

OIM 100 is sometimes referred to in the art as a “reconfigurable dropmodule” or “RDM.” With reference again to FIG. 1, OIM 100 includes ahousing 122 having an interior 124, a front end 126 and a back end 128.Front end 126 includes n two-fiber front ports PO_(F) formed therein.The set of n front ports PO_(F) is denoted in shorthand notation as

-   -   PO_(F)(i)={PO_(F)(1), PO_(F)(2) . . . PO_(F)(n)},        wherein i=1 to n, with PO_(F)(i) indicating the i^(th) port. In        an example embodiment, n=12.

Optical interconnection module 100 includes transmitter and receiverconnectors 136T and 136R disposed within housing interior 124 andadjacent back end 128. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are close-up schematicdiagrams of transmitter and receiver connectors 136T and 136R,respectively. Transmitter and receiver connectors 136T and 136R eachhave a front side 138 and a back side 139, with respective sets of ntransmit and receive ports PO_(T)(i) and PO_(R)(i). In an exampleembodiment, transmitter and receiver connectors 136T and 136R areconfigured at back side 139 (which is located at housing back end 128)to accommodate respective multifiber connectors 70 from sections 60A and60B of fiber optic cable 60, as shown in FIG. 1 and as discussed ingreater detail below.

OIM 100 also includes a set F of optical fibers 142 that opticallyconnect transmitter and receiver connectors 136T and 136R to front portsPO_(F)(i) in a select manner. The “wiring” configuration for fiber set Fis shown as {Bu′, O′, G′, Br′, S′, W′, R′, Bk′, Y′, V′, Ro′, Aq′} and{Bu, O, G, Br, S, W, R, Bk, Y, V, Ro, Aq}, with the first set beingassociated with transmit ports PO_(T)(1) through PO_(T)(12), and thesecond set being associated with receive ports PO_(R)(1) throughPO_(R)(12).

Unlike the “active” transmitter and receiver units 36T and 36R of MCM20, transmitter and receiver connectors 136T and 136R of OIM 100 do notconvert electrical signals to optical signals and vice versa. Rather,transmitter and receiver connectors 136T and 136R are “passive” or“pass-through” devices that serve to organize fibers 142 in fiber set Ffor optical coupling to select fibers in trunk cable 60. Thus, opticalsignals SO(i) are not substantially altered when passing throughtransmitter and receiver connectors 136T and 136R, except for perhapsthe normal attenuation that can occur when making fiber-to-fiber opticalconnections.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example LC-type OIM 100 having 12dual LC ports PO_(F), each having two single-fiber ports SF for a totalof 24 single-fiber ports.

The present invention includes two main example embodiments of OIM 100that different port configurations. The two port configurations arereferred to below as the “first port configuration” and the “second portconfiguration.” These two port configurations are described in greaterdetail below in connection with example embodiments of hybrid E-Onetwork 10.

Trunk Cable

With reference again to FIG. 1, in an example embodiment, trunk cable 60includes respective ends 62-1 and 62-2 and includes two cable sections60A and 60B. Cable sections 60A and 60B respectively comprise sets SAand SB of twelve optical fibers 65 arranged in a particular color-codescheme. Each cable section 60A and 60B is terminated at cable ends 62-1and 62-2 with multifiber connectors 70, individually denoted as 70A1 and70A2 for cable section 60A, and 70B1 and 70B2 for cable section 60B.Connectors 70A1 and 70A2 constitute a first “connector pair” at oppositeends of cable 60, while connectors 70B1 and 70B2 constitute a second“connector pair” also at opposite ends of cable 60. Thus, connectors70A1 and 70B1 are at cable end 60-1 (the MCM end) while connectors 70A2and 70B2 are at cable end 60-2 (the OIM end). Cable 60 is shown ashaving couplers 66 that combine cable sections 60A and 60B into a singlemiddle cable section 68.

In an example embodiment, connectors 70 are preferably epoxy and polishcompatible multifiber connectors, for example, part of the LANScape®connector solution set from Corning Cable Systems, LLC. Exampleconnectors 70 are MTP-type or MPO-type connectors. The epoxy and polishconnector is a 12-fiber connector achieving very high density in a smallspace and contains multiple optical paths arranged in a generally planararray. An MTP-type connector is designed for multi-mode or single-modeapplications, and uses a push/pull design for easy mating and removal.An MTP-type connector can be the same size as a conventional SCconnector, but provides twelve times the fiber density, advantageouslysaving cost and space. Example MTP-type connectors include a key forproper orientation for registration with any required optical adapters.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are close-up schematic diagrams of connectors 70A1and 70B1, respectively, at cable end 62-1 (MCM 20 end), while FIG. 8Aand FIG. 8B are close-up schematic diagrams of connectors 70A2 and 70B2,respectively, at cable end 62-2 (OIM 100 end). Connectors 70 of trunk 60each have 12 ports A and B. Connector 70A1 includes ports 1A(i),connector 70B1 includes ports 1B(i), connector 70A2 includes ports2A(i), and connector 70B2 includes ports 2B(i). Various configurationsfor connecting these parts are considered in the example embodimentsbelow.

First Example Hybrid E-O Network

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a first example embodiment ofhybrid-E-O network 10 of the present invention, wherein trunk cable 60is in the form of a “universal trunk” cable, and OIM 100 in a first portconfiguration. In an example embodiment, OIM 100 is an LC-type opticalinterconnection module such as shown in FIG. 6. Cable sections 60A and60B of universal trunk 60 respectively comprise sets SA and SB of twelveoptical fibers 65 arranged in the color-code scheme SA={Bu, O, G, Br, S,W, R, Bk, Y, V, Ro, Aq} and SB={Bu′, O′, G′, Br′, S′, W′, R′, Bk′, Y′,V′, Ro′, Aq′}. Universal trunk 60 has a port configuration for connectorports 1A, 2A, 1B and 2B for connectors 70 as defined by (for i=1 to n,wherein n=12):

-   -   {1A(i)}        {2A(2n−(j−1))} and {1B(i)}        {2B(2n−(j−1))}

In the example embodiment of FIG. 9, front ports PO_(F)(i) of OIM 100are optical LC duplex ports each having two single-fiber ports SF(i) andeach configured to receive an optical patch cord 2020 (see FIG. 1). Inan example embodiment, n=12, or the same number as front ports PE_(F)(i)of MCM 20, which corresponds to 2n=24 single-fiber ports SF, i.e., SF(i)for i=1 to 2n.

As discussed above, front ports PO_(F)(i) of OIM 100 are opticallyconnected to transmit and receive ports PO_(T)(i) and PO_(R)(i) in aselect manner via set F of fibers 142 contained within housing interior124. For n=12, there are a total of 2n=24 fibers 142, with respectivesingle fiber ends connected to either a single transmit port PO_(T)(i)or a single receive port PO_(R)(i), and two fiber ends connected torespective front ports PO_(F)(i). In an example embodiment, fiber set Fis configured according to the aforementioned color-coding scheme. Thecolor codes associated with transmitter connector 136T are unprimed,while those associated with receiver connector 136R are primed todistinguish between the two sets of twelve color-codes.

An example fiber configuration for fibers 142 that connects front portsPO_(F)(i) and corresponding single-fiber ports SF(i) to the transmit andreceive ports PO_(T)(i) and PO_(R)(i) is set forth in Table 2 below:

TABLE 2 OIM PORT CONNECTIONS SF PO_(F) PO_(T), PO_(R) WIRE COLORS SF(1),SF(2) PO_(F)(1) PO_(T)(1), PO_(R)(12) Bu, Aq′ SF(3), SF(4) PO_(F)(2)PO_(T)(2), PO_(R)(11) O, Ro′ SF(5), SF(6) PO_(F)(3) PO_(T)(3),PO_(R)(10) G, V′ SF(7), SF(8) PO_(F)(4) PO_(T)(4), PO_(R)(9) Br, Y′SF(9), SF(10) PO_(F)(5) PO_(T)(5), PO_(R)(8) S, Bk′ SF(11), SF(12)PO_(F)(6) PO_(T)(6), PO_(R)(7) W, R′ SF(13), SF(14) PO_(F)(7) PO_(T)(7),PO_(R)(6) R, W′ SF(15), SF(16) PO_(F)(8) PO_(T)(88), PO_(R)(5) Bk, S′SF(17), SF(18) PO_(F)(9) PO_(T)(9), PO_(R)(4) Y, Br′ SF(19), SF(20)PO_(F)(10) PO_(T)(10), PO_(R)(3) V, G′ SF(21), SF(22) PO_(F)(11)PO_(T)(11), PO_(R)(2) Ro, O′ SF(23), SF(24) PO_(F)(12) PO_(T)(12),PO_(R)(1) Aq, Bu′

The port configuration set forth in Table 2 above for n=12 is referredto herein as the “first port configuration” for OIM 100 and is expressedin more compact notation as:

-   -   {SF(2i−1), SF(2i)}        {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(i), PO_(R)(12−(i−1))} for i=1 to 12.

One of the goals of hybrid E-O network 10 is to interconnect or “map”the dual-wire transmit/receive electrical front ports PE_(F)(i) of MCM20 to the dual-fiber transmit/receive optical front ports PO_(F)(i) ofOIM 100. This involves establishing the following end-to-endconfiguration:

-   -   {PE_(F)(i)}        {PO_(F)(i)} for i=1 to 12,        which in long-hand notation is written as:    -   {PE_(F)(1), PE_(F)(2), . . . PE_(F)(12)}        {PO_(F)(1), PO_(F)(2), . . . PO_(F)(12)}.

In the present example embodiment that utilizes a universal trunk 60,this requires that the 2n transmit and receive ports PE_(T)(i) andPE_(R)(i) of MCM 20 be configured or “mapped” to the 2n single-fiberoptical ports SF(j) (for j=1 to 2n) via the following relationships:

-   -   {PE_(T)(1), PE_(T)(2), PE_(T)(3), PE_(T)(4), PE_(T)(5),        PE_(T)(6)}        {SF(1), SF(3), SF(5), SF(7), SF(9), SF(11)}    -   {PE_(T)(7), PE_(T)(8), PE_(T)(9), PE_(T)(10), PE_(T)(11),        PE_(T)(12)}        {SF(13), SF(15), SF(17), SF(19), SF(21), SF(23)}    -   {PE_(R)(1), PE_(R)(2), PE_(R)(3), PE_(R)(4), PE_(R)(5),        PE_(R)(6)}        {SF(24), SF(22), SF(20), SF(18), SF(16), SF(14)}    -   {PE_(R)(7), PE_(R)(8), PE_(R)(9), PE_(R)(10), PE_(R)(11),        PE_(R)(12)}        {SF(12), SF(10), SF(8), SF(6), SF(4), SF(2)}

This configuration is written in more compact form as:

-   -   {PE_(T)(i)}        {SF(2i−1)} and {PE_(R)(i)}        SF(2n−2(i−1)).

Second Example Hybrid E-O Network

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second example embodiment of hybridE-O network 10 of the present invention similar to that of FIG. 9, butthat utilizes a “classic trunk” cable 60 and a second port configurationfor OIM 100. In particular, transmit and receive ports PO_(T)(i),PO_(R)(i) and front transmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) are configured ormapped in this second port configuration as defined by:

-   -   {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(12−(i−1)), PO_(R)(2i)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3,        5, . . . 11)    -   {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(12−2(i−2)), PO_(R)(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2,        4, 6, . . . 12).        This second port configuration is written in more compact form        as:    -   {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(12−(i−1)), PO_(R)(2i)} for i=1 to 12 odd    -   {PO_(F)(i)}        {PO_(T)(12−2(i−2)), PO_(R)(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 even.        The configuration of single-fiber ports SF(i) to        transmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) is as in the first port        configuration embodiment, so that:    -   {SF(2i−1), SF(2i)}        {PO_(F)(i)} for i=1 to 12.

Classic trunk cable 60 has its own mapping of optical fibers 65 betweenconnectors 70 for the cable sections 60A and 60B according to aconfiguration defined by:

-   -   {1A(i)}        {2A(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3, 5, . . . 11)    -   {1A(i)}        {2A(i+1)} for i =1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2, 3, 6, . . . 12)    -   {1B(i)}        {2B(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3, 5, . . . 11)    -   {1B(i)}        {2B(i+1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2, 3, 6, . . . 12)

As in the example embodiment described above in connection with thefirst port configuration, one of the main goals of hybrid E-O network 10is to configure or “map” the dual-wire transmit/receive electrical frontports PE_(F)(i) of MCM 20 to the dual-fiber transmit/receive opticalfront ports PO_(F)(i) of OIM 100. In the present example embodiment,this involves establishing the configuration as defined by:

-   -   {PE_(T)(1), PE_(T)(2), PE_(T)(3), PE_(T)(4), PE_(T)(5),        PE_(T)(6)}        {SF(21), SF(23), SF(17), SF(19), SF(13), SF(15)}    -   {PE_(T)(7), PE_(T)(8), PE_(T)(9), PE_(T)(10), PE_(T)(11),        PE_(T)(12)}        {SF(9), SF(11), SF(5), SF(7), SF(1), SF(3)}    -   {PE_(R)(1), PE_(R)(2), PE_(R)(3), PE_(R)(4), PE_(R)(5),        PE_(R)(6)}        {SF(4), SF(2), SF(8), SF(6), SF(12), SF(10)}    -   {PE_(R)(7), PE_(R)(8), PE_(R)(9), PE_(R)(10), PE_(R)(11),        PE_(R)(12)}        {SF(16), SF(14), SF(20), SF(18), SF(24), SF(22)}.

This configuration is written in more compact form as:

-   -   {PE_(T)(2i−1)}        SF(2n−(2i+1)) for i=1 to 6    -   {PE_(R)(2j+2)}        SF(2n−(4j+1)) for j=0 to 5    -   {PE_(T)(2i−1)}        SF(2i+2) for i=1 to 6    -   {PE_(R)(2j+2)}        SF(4j+1)) for j=0 to 5.

The above configuration takes into account the configuration of wire setW in MCM 20, as well as the configuration of fibers 65 in classic trunk60. In an example embodiment, OIM 100 is an LC-type opticalinterconnection module such as shown in FIG. 6.

Polarity-Correcting Trunk Cables

Example embodiments of the invention include configuring trunk cable 60to establish the desired port connection {PE_(F)(i)}

{PO_(F)(i)} between MCM 20 and OIM 100.

Plug and Play Trunk Configuration

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a third example embodiment of hybridE-O network 10 of the present invention, wherein trunk 60 is configuredto have the correct polarity for connecting MCM 20 to a standarduniversal “plug and play” OIM 100. Trunk 60 of FIG. 7 is thus referredto as a “plug and play trunk” or “PnP trunk.”

Fiber set F of OIM 100 of FIG. 11 is configured as set forth in Table 3below:

TABLE 3 OIM PORT CONNECTIONS FOR PnP TRUNK PE_(F) PE_(T), PE_(R) WIRECOLORS PO_(F)(1) PO_(T)(1), PO_(T)(12) Bu′, Aq′ PO_(F)(2) PO_(T)(2),PO_(T)(11) O′, Ro′ PO_(F)(3) PO_(T)(3), PO_(T)(10) G′, V′ PO_(F)(4)PO_(T)(4), PO_(T)(9) Br′, Y′ PO_(F)(5) PO_(T)(5), PO_(T)(8) S′, Bk′PO_(F)(6) PO_(T)(6), PO_(T)(7) W′, R′ PO_(F)(7) PO_(T)(1), PO_(T)(12)Bu, Aq PO_(F)(8) PO_(T)(2), PO_(T)(11) O, Ro PO_(F)(9) PO_(T)(3),PO_(T)(10) G, V PO_(F)(10) PO_(T)(4), PO_(T)(9) Br, Y PO_(F)(11)PO_(T)(5), PO_(T)(8) S, Bk PO_(F)(12) PO_(T)(6), PO_(T)(7) W, R

In order to configure or “map” the dual-wire transmit/receive electricalports PE_(F)(i) of MCM 20 to the dual-fiber transmit/receive opticalports PO_(F)(i) of OIM 100, the connector ports A(i) and B(i) ofconnectors 70 are configured as follows:

-   -   {1A(1), 1A(2), 1A(3), 1A(4), 1A(5), 1A(6)}        {2B(12), 2B(11), 2B(10), 2B(9), 2B(8), 2B(7)}    -   {1A(7), 1A(8), 1A(9), 1A(10), 1A(11), 1A(12)}        {2A(12), 2A(11), 2A(10), 2A(9), 2A(8), 2A(7)}    -   {1B(1), 1B(2), 1B(3), 1B(4), 1B(5), 1B(6)}        {2A(6), 2A(5), 2A(4), 2a(3), 2A(2), 2A(1)}    -   {1B(7), 1B(8), 1B(9), 1B(10), 1B(11), 1B(12)}{        2B(6), 2B(5), 2B(4), 2B(3), 2B(2), 2B(1)}.        This configuration is written in a more compact form as (for        n=12):    -   {1A(i)}        {2B(n−(i−1)} and {1A((n/2)+i)}        {2A(2i−1)} for i=1 to 6    -   {1B(i)}        {2A(n−(i−1)} and {1B((n/2)+i)}        {2A(2i−1)} for i=1 to 6.

Trunk Configuration for “Classic” Optical Interconnection Module

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a fourth example embodiment of hybridE-O network 10 of the present invention, wherein trunk 60 is configuredto have the correct polarity for interconnecting MCM 20 to a typical or“classic” LC-type OIM 100 that includes 24 single-fiber ports SF(i).

The configuration of fiber set F of the classic OIM 100 of FIG. 12 isdefined by (for i=1 to n, where n=12):

-   -   PO_(T)(i)        SF(i) and PO_(R)(i)        SF(n+i).        The color-coding progresses as {Bu′, O′, G′, Br′, S′, W′, R′,        Bk′, Y′, V′, Ro′, Aq′} for SF(i) for i=1 to 12, and as {Bu, O,        G, Br, S, W, R, Bk, Y, V, Ro, Aq} for SF(i) for i=13 to 24.

In order to configure or “map” the dual-wire transmit/receive electricalfront ports PE_(F)(i) of MCM 20 to the single-fiber ports SF(i) of OIM100, the connector ports A(i) and B(i) of connectors 70 of trunk 60 areconfigured as (for i=1 to 6 and n=12):

-   -   {1A(i)}        {2B(2i)} and {1A((n/2)+i)}        {2A(2i)}    -   {1B(i)}        {2A(2n−(2i−1)} and {1B((n/2)+i)}        {2B(2n−(2i−1)}.

The present invention has been described with reference to the foregoingembodiments, which embodiments are intended to be illustrative of thepresent inventive concepts rather than limiting. Persons of ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications ofthe foregoing embodiments may be made without departing from the scopeof the appended claims.

1. An optical interconnection module for connecting to a media convertermodule, comprising: a transmitter connector having transmit portsPO_(T)(i); a receiver connector having receive ports PO_(R)(i); andtransmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) that are optically connected to thetransmit ports PO_(T)(i) and the receive ports PO_(R)(i) according toeither: a) a first port configuration defined by: {PO_(F)(i)}

{PO_(T)(i), PO_(R)(12−(i−1))} for i=1 to 12; or b) a second portconfiguration defined by: {PO_(F)(i)}

{PO_(T)(12−(i−1)), PO_(R)(2i)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3, 5, . . .11); {PO_(F)(i)}

{PO_(T)(12−2(i−2)), PO_(R)(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2, 4, 6, .. . 12).
 2. The optical interconnection module of claim 1, wherein eachtransmit/receive port PO_(F)(i) includes two single-fiber ports SF(i)having a configuration defined by: {SF(2i−1), SF(2i)}

{PO_(F)(i)}.
 3. The optical interconnection module of claim 3, whereinthe single-fiber ports SF(i) comprise LC-type ports.
 4. The opticalinterconnection module of claim 1, wherein the transmit ports PO_(T)(i)and receive ports PO_(R)(i) are optically connected to thetransmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) via optical fibers.
 5. The opticalinterconnection module of claim 1, further comprising: a housing thatdefines an interior region that contains the transmitter connector, thereceiver connector, the transmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i), and opticalfibers that optically connect the transmit/receive ports to thetransmitter connector and the receiver connector.
 6. An optical fibernetwork, comprising: the optical interconnection module of claim 1; anda fiber optic cable that carries a first set of fibers that areoptically coupled to the transmit ports PO_(T)(i) and a second set ofoptical fibers that are optically coupled to the receive portsPO_(R)(i).
 7. The optical fiber network of claim 6, further comprising:a media converter module operably connected to the opticalinterconnection module via the fiber optic cable.
 8. The optical fibernetwork of claim 7, wherein the media converter module comprises: anelectrical-to-optical transmitter unit having transmit ports PE_(T)(i);an optical-to-electrical receiver unit having receive ports PE_(R)(i);and transmit/receive ports PE_(F)(i) that are electrically connected tothe electrical-to-optical transmitter unit and the optical-to-electricalreceiver unit according to a port configuration defined by: {PE_(F)(i)}

{PE_(T)(i), PE_(R)(12−(i−1))} for i=1 to
 12. 9. The optical fibernetwork of claim 7, wherein the optical interconnection module isconfigured in the first port configuration, and wherein the fiber opticcable comprises: a first pair of connectors 70A1 and 70B1 respectivelyassociated with the first and second set of optical fibers andrespectively having ports 1A(i) and ports 1B(i), with connector 70A1optically connected to the electrical-to-optical transmitter unit andconnector 70B1 optically connected to the optical-to-electrical receiverunit; a second pair of connectors 70A2 and 70B2 respectively associatedwith the first and second set of optical fibers and respectively havingports 2A(i) and ports 2B(i), with connector 70A2 optically connected tothe receiver connector and connector 70B2 optically connected to thetransmitter connector; and wherein the connector pairs are configuredaccording to a port configuration defined by: {1A(i)}

{2A(2n−(j−1))}; and {1B(i)}

{2B(2n−(j−1))}.
 10. The optical fiber network of claim 7, wherein theoptical interconnection module is configured in the second portconfiguration, and wherein the fiber optic cable comprises: a first pairof connectors 70A1 and 70B1 respectively associated with the first andsecond set of optical fibers and respectively having ports 1A(i) andports 1B(i), with connector 70A1 optically connected to theelectrical-to-optical transmitter unit and connector 70B1 opticallyconnected to the optical-to-electrical receiver unit; a second pair ofconnectors 70A2 and 70B2 respectively associated with the first andsecond set of optical fibers and respectively having ports 2A(i) andports 2B(i), with connector 70A2 optically connected to the receiverconnector and connector 70B2 optically connected to the transmitterconnector; and wherein the connector pairs are configured according to aport configuration defined by: {1A(i)}

{2A(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3, 5, . . . 11); {1A(i)}

{2A(i+1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2, 3, 6, . . . 12); {1B(i)}

{2B(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3, 5, . . . 11); {1B(i)}

{2B(i+1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2, 3, 6, . . . 12).
 11. Theoptical fiber network of claim 8, wherein the optical interconnectionmodule is configured in the first port configuration, and wherein thefiber optic cable is configured to establish a port configurationbetween the electrical-to-optical transmitter and theoptical-to-electrical receiver units of the media converter module andthe transmitter and receiver connectors of the optical interconnectionmodule according to a port configuration defined by: {PE_(T)(i)}

{PO_(R)(2n−(j−1))} and {PE_(R)(i)}

{PO_(T)(2n−(j−1)}.
 12. The optical fiber network of claim 8, wherein theoptical interconnection module is configured in the first portconfiguration, and wherein the fiber optic cable is configured toestablish a port configuration between the electrical-to-opticaltransmitter and the optical-to-electrical electrical receiver units ofthe media converter module and the transmitter and receiver connectorsof the optical interconnection module according to a port configurationdefined by: {PE_(T)(i)}

{PO_(R)(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3, 5, . . . 11); {PE_(T)(i)}

{PO_(R)(i+1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2, 3, 6, . . . 12);{PE_(R)(i)}

{PO_(T)(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3, 5, . . . 11); {PE_(R)(i)}

{PO_(T)(i+1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2, 3, 6, . . . 12).
 13. Theoptical fiber network of claim 8, wherein the optical interconnectionmodule is configured in the first port configuration, and wherein: eachtransmit/receive port PO_(F)(i) includes two single-fiber ports SF(i)having a configuration defined by: {SF(2i−1), SF(2i)}

{PO_(F)(i)}; and the media converter module transmit ports PE_(T)(i) andreceive ports PE_(R)(i) are operably connected to the single-fiber portsSF(i) according to a port configuration defined by: {PE_(T)(i)}

{SF(2i−1)} and {PE_(R)(i)}

SF(2n−2(i−1)).
 14. The optical fiber network of claim 8, wherein theoptical interconnection module is configured in the second portconfiguration, and wherein: each transmit/receive port PO_(F)(i)includes two single-fiber ports SF(i) having a configuration defined by:{SF(2i−1), SF(2i)}

{PO_(F)(i)}; and the media converter module transmit ports PE_(T)(i) andreceive ports PE_(R)(i) are operably connected to the single-fiber portsSF(i) according to a port configuration defined by: {PE_(T)(2i−1)}

SF(2n−(2i+1)) for i=1 to 6; {PE_(R)(2j+2)}

SF(2n−(4j+1)) for j=0 to 5; {PE_(R)(2i−1)}

SF(2i+2) for i=1 to 6; {PE_(T)(2j+2)}

SF(4j+1)) for j=0 to
 5. 15. The optical fiber network of claim 8,wherein the transmit/receive ports PE_(F)(i) comprise RJ-type ports. 16.The optical fiber network of claim 8, wherein the transmit/receive portsPE_(F)(i) of the media converter module are operably connected to thetransmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) of the optical interconnection moduleaccording to the configuration defined by: PE_(F)(i)

PO_(F)(i).
 17. A hybrid electrical-optical network, comprising: a mediaconverter module having transmit/receive ports PE_(F)(i) that areelectrically connected to an electrical-to-optical transmitter unithaving transmit ports PE_(T)(i) and to an optical-to-electrical receiverunit having receive ports PE_(R)(i) according to a port configurationdefined by: {PE_(F)(i)}

{PE_(T)(i), PE_(R)(12−(i−1))} for i=1 to 12; an optical interconnectionmodule having transmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) that are opticallyconnected to a transmitter connector having transmit ports PO_(T)(i) andto a receiver connector having receive ports PO_(R)(i) according to aport configuration defined by: {PO_(F)(i)}

{PO_(T)(i), PO_(R)(12−(i−1))} for i=1 to 12; and a fiber optic cableconfigured to optically connect the media converter module to theoptical interconnection module so as to establish a port configurationdefined by: {PE_(F)(i)}

{PO_(F)(i)}.
 18. The hybrid electrical-optical network of claim 17,wherein each transmit/receive port PO_(F)(i) is a two-fiber port thatincludes two single-fiber ports SF(i) according to a port configurationdefined by: {SF(2i−1), SF(2i)}

{PO_(F)(i)}.
 19. The hybrid electrical-optical network of claim 18,wherein the media converter module transmit ports PE_(T)(i) and receiveports PE_(R)(i) are operably connected to the single-fiber ports SF(i)according to a port configuration defined by: {PE_(T)(i)}

{SF(2i−1)}; and {PE_(R)(i)}

SF(2n−2(i−1)).
 20. The hybrid electrical-optical network of claim 18,wherein the transmit/receive ports PE_(F)(i) comprise RJ-type ports andthe single-fiber ports SF(i) comprise LC-type ports.
 21. A hybridelectrical-optical network, comprising: a media converter module havingtransmit/receive ports PE_(F)(i) that are electrically connected to anelectrical-to-optical transmitter unit having transmit ports PE_(T)(i)and to an optical-to-electrical receiver unit having receive portsPE_(R)(i) according to a port configuration defined by: {PE_(F)(i)}

{PE_(T)(i), PE_(R)(12−(i−1))} for i=1 to 12; an optical interconnectionmodule having transmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) that are opticallyconnected to a transmitter connector having transmit ports PO_(T)(i) andto a receiver connector having receive ports PO_(R)(i) according to aport configuration defined by: {PO_(F)(i)}

{PO_(T)(12−(i−1)), PO_(R)(2i)} for i=1 to 12 odd (i.e., i=1, 3, 5, . . .11) {PO_(F)(i)}

{PO_(T)(12−2(i−2)), PO_(R)(i−1)} for i=1 to 12 even (i.e., i=2, 4, 6, .. . 12); and a fiber optic cable configured to optically connect themedia converter module to the optical interconnection module so as toestablish a port configuration defined by: {PE_(F)(i)}

{PO_(F)(i)}.
 22. The hybrid electrical-optical network of claim 21,wherein the transmit/receive ports PO_(F)(i) are two-fiber ports thateach include two single-fiber ports SF(i) according to a portconfiguration defined by: {SF(2i−1), SF(2i )}

{PO_(F)(i)}.
 23. The hybrid electrical-optical network of claim 22,wherein the media converter module transmit ports PE_(T)(i) and receiveports PE_(R)(i) are operably connected to the single-fiber ports SF(i)according to a port configuration defined by: {PE_(T)(2i−1)}

SF(2n−(2i+1)) for i=1 to 6; {PE_(R)(2j+2)}

SF(2n−(4j+1)) for j=0 to 5; {PE_(R)(2i−1)}

SF(2i+2) for i=1 to 6; {PE_(T)(2j+2)}

SF(4j+1)) for j=0 to
 5. 24. The hybrid electrical-optical network ofclaim 22, wherein the transmit/receive ports PE_(F)(i) comprise RJ-typeports and the single-fiber ports SF(i) comprise LC-type ports.